Highway Code changes to give cyclists and pedestrians priority

Major changes to the Highway Code are set to be introduced that aim to improve safety for vulnerable road users such as cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders.

A new “hierarchy of road users” which puts the greatest responsibility for reducing danger onto drivers is among proposals announced as part of a Department for Transport consultation on updating the road users’ hand book.

The planned updates also include new rules on when different road users should give priority to others, set out clear rules on passing distances and speeds for drivers overtaking cyclists and horse riders and include advice on blanket 20mph zones in urban areas.

Announcing the consultation, the DfT explained the hierarchy of road users “ensures that those road users who can do the greatest harm have the greatest responsibility to reduce the danger or threat they may pose to other road users. The objective of the hierarchy is not to give priority to pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders in every situation, but rather to ensure a more mutually respectful and considerate culture of safe and effective road use that benefits all users”.

This principle, it said, “applies most strongly to drivers of large goods and passenger vehicles, followed by vans/minibuses, cars/taxis and motorcycles”.